EC FAQ on Nanotechnologies
June 18, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS
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This document answers frequently asked questions about nanotechnologies, a rapidly growing field for which the European Commission (EC) announced plans to start a public consultation (see press release IP/08/947).
What are nanotechnologies?
Nanosciences and nanotechnologies are new approaches to research and development that aim to control the fundamental structure and behavior of matter at the level of atoms and molecules. They offer the possibility of furthering our understanding of phenomena at the atomic level, and make possible the development of materials and devices with novel properties, functions and performance.
Why are nanotechnologies important for the economy and job creation?
Nanotechnologies are pervasive enabling technologies with far-reaching effects. They are expected to help address many problems facing today's society. Market analysts foresee a world market for nanotechnologies worth between €750 and 2,000 billion by 2015, and estimate that 10 million nana-related jobs will be created by 2014 - that is, 10% of all manufacturing jobs worldwide. The EC expects nanotechnologies to contribute directly to the Lisbon Strategy, including to the competitiveness of the European industry.
What are the expected benefits of nanotechnologies for citizens and consumers?
The applications of nanotechnologies are expected to bring everyday benefits for consumers through new products, novel health applications and reduced environmental impacts. Applications already appearing include improved materials and surfaces, information and communication technologies, medical diagnostics, therapeutic tools, textiles and household products.
What are expected benefits of nanotechnologies for European industry?
Nanosciences and nanotechnologies are expected to provide a new competitive edge to European industry and to the European economy as a whole, and to contribute to job creation.
The industrial application of nanotechnologies enables the manufacture of novel and improved materials that will have impacts on information and communication technologies, energy efficiency in production through novel catalysts, energy generation via more efficient solar panels, energy storage, manufacturing and instrumentation, surface finishing and lubrication, as well as environmental protection and remediation.
What are the expected benefits of nanotechnologies for the environment?
Nanosciences and nanotechnologies can contribute to a more sustainable use of natural resources, due to processing and production systems that use energy and raw materials more efficiently. In addition, substitution of certain environmentally harmful materials (such as lubricants) could be possible.
In the future, the development of nanotechnology-based remediation methods may in the future help clean up environmental damage and pollution. Research in energy efficiency, production and storage, lightweight materials and modern insulation construction materials may likewise contribute to climate change mitigation.
What is the European policy approach to nanotechnologies?
In its strategy and action plan for nanosciences and nanotechnologies, the EC has adopted a policy for an integrated, safe and responsible development and use of nanotechnologies. This means that innovative development and a proactive stance on potential concerns to human health and the environment, as well as ethical issues and other societal considerations, are integrated with the technical development. This approach is supported by European Council of Ministers and European Parliament as well as by stakeholders.
What is the role of the EC here?
The EC plays two main roles: that of policy maker and research funding body. For details, see specific questions on research, regulation, safety and code of conduct.
How is the EC promoting research on nanotechnologies in Europe?
The EC's strategy in research funding is to develop nanotechnologies with due regard to societal needs and likely benefits, plus to the competitiveness of European industry.
The total amount dedicated to nanotechnologies under the Sixth Framework Programme for research was €1.4 billion, with a further €0.6 billion already allocated in 2007, the first year of the Seventh Framework Programme for research and development for 2007-2013.
The EC has now become the largest single public funding agency of nanotechnology in the world, and accounts for a third of public funding of nanotechnology research in the European Union (EU).
This funding is bearing fruit in terms of increasing industrial participation, patents and innovation. Some examples from recent calls for proposals are:
- Nanomedicine, where targeted drug delivery and tissue regeneration offer promise for the treatment of serious diseases, like cancer.
- Nanostructured materials may be used for water remediation.
- Nanostructured catalysts may improve energy conversion (in solar cells or fuel cells).
- Nanostructured catalysts with tailor-made functional surfaces may also make industrial processes more efficient and more sustainable.
- Pilot lines to introduce nanotechnology-based processes into the value chain of existing industries.
How is the EC promoting innovation on nanotechnologies in Europe?
The EU innovation strategy, programs and activities all apply to nanotechnologies and nanomaterials. The Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) aims to boost the competitiveness of European enterprises.
With small and medium-sized enterprises as its main target, CIP will support innovation activities (including eco-innovation), provide better access to finance and deliver business support services in the regions.
It will also encourage a better take-up and use of information and communications technologies (ICT) and help to develop the information society.
In addition, it will promote the increased use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.
What are the potential risks of nanomaterials to human health and the environment?
Because nanomaterials exhibit novel properties, they may expose humans and the environment to new risks. To identify the potential risks created by nanomaterials in specific applications, the EC is relying on advice from the scientific committees and panels of the European Community.
In its 2006 opinion, the Scientific Committee for Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) stated that, although the existing toxicological and ecotoxicological methods are appropriate to assess many of the hazards associated with the products and processes involving nanoparticles, these methods may not be sufficient to address all the hazards.
Therefore, SCENIHR believes current risk assessment procedures need to be modified to take account of nanoparticles. The SCENIHR also identified the main gaps in the knowledge necessary for risk assessment.
How are the potential risks of nanomaterials to human health and the environment being managed?
European legislation obliges manufacturers and importers to ensure the safety of all products they put on the market. When new scientific evidence comes to light, the EC and EU agencies will begin by reviewing the current documents that support implementation - such as implementing legislation, standards and technical guidance - to assess their applicability and appropriateness for nanomaterials.
The EC is funding research on the assessment of the potential impact of evolving nanotechnology applications. Increased emphasis is being placed on these activities under the EC's new Seventh Framework Programme.
The EU is playing a leading role in the world in investing in research on safety. Other parties, including various EU institutions, member states, industry (including through its European Technology Platforms), research organizations and universities, are also contributing to these research activities.
Cooperation activities at the international level include the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials, which assesses testing guidelines to take into account specificities of nanomaterials, and the development of standards within the International Standardisation Organisation (ISO) and the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).
How are nanotechnologies and products of nanotechnologies regulated in the EU?
Most EU legislation addresses products, but does not usually address specific technology used for their production. Although there are no provisions in EU legislation that refer explicitly to nanomaterials, existing legislation on chemicals (such as REACH), worker and environmental protection as well as product-specific legislation, in principle, cover in principle the potential health, safety and environmental risks in relation to nanomaterials.
Product-specific legislation includes regulations on medical devices, medicinal products, food, animal feed, cosmetics, plant protection products, biocides, aerosol dispensers and cars. Current legislation may, however, have to be modified as regards thresholds used in some legislation - for example, as new information on nanomaterials becomes available.
The EC and relevant EU agencies will continue to examine the applicability and appropriateness of documents supporting implementation of legislation (such as standards and technical guidance documents) to take account of the special properties of existing and future nanomaterials.
How does the EC ensure that regulatory requirements cope with evolving nanotechnologies and/or nanomaterials?
EU legislation is drafted so that new technological developments can be taken into consideration. Implementation guidance and standards will be reviewed when a need to do so emerges from new data that has become available.
Agencies and national authorities in charge of implementing legislation monitor the market (such as via premarket control, premarket notification or market surveillance) and will use European Community market intervention mechanisms if risks are identified for products already on the market.
EC working groups that coordinate the implementation of legislation examine the potential need for change regarding specific regulatory aspects as applications evolve and new scientific knowledge becomes available. They will take into consideration work that has been carried out in this respect at the national and international level.
What are the objectives of the code of conduct in nanotechnology research?
The Commission Recommendation on a Code of Conduct for Responsible Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Research is based on seven principles: meaning, sustainability, precaution, inclusiveness (with regard to stakeholders), excellence, innovation and accountability (with regard to social and other impacts).
The code also proposes actions to be taken on good governance and due respect for precaution for responsible nanosciences and nanotechnology research.
The EC encourages the voluntary adoption of this code of conduct by relevant national and regional authorities, employers and research funding bodies, researchers, and any individual or civil society organizations involved or interested in research of nanosciences and nanotechnologies.
The code of conduct should also be a European basis for dialogue with third countries and international organizations.
Is there cooperation in research with countries outside the EU?
The Seventh Framework Programme is open to researchers outside the EU, and those in "international cooperation partner countries" may receive EC funding.
In addition, the EC has been active in pursuing specific collaborations, such as in safety research with the U.S. and materials science with India. The EC also seeks international policy cooperation, with the aim of addressing issues of mutual benefit.
The third meeting promoting an international dialogue on nanotechnology was hosted by the EU in March 2008.
How is the EC promoting dialogue between citizens and stakeholders on nanotechnologies?
The EC considers that effective two-way dialogue is indispensable for emerging technologies such as nanotechnologies. Public trust in and acceptance of nanotechnologies are crucial for its long-term development.
The EC and a number of EU member states have also actively promoted multi-stakeholder dialogues on nanotechnologies and numerous other outreach activities. These events have involved, depending on the special themes of the conferences, participation of public authorities, scientists, industry associations, consumers, environment and other non-governmental organizations.
Furthermore, these activities complement and are coordinated with various other activities at the EU member state level and by international organizations.
Nevertheless, surveys have indicated that European public is not yet sufficiently aware of nanosciences and nanotechnologies. However, these surveys also show that public confidence in European public authorities' ability to ensure good governance for nanotechnology is higher in Europe than elsewhere.
How can I keep informed about nanotechnologies?
The EC's web site on Nanotechnology provides a gateway to up-to-date information on the ongoing activities in various policy areas. More information can be found on these web pages:
Source: European Commission.